[gofour3]

Bare essentials: K28/3.5, K55/1.8, M50/4 Macro

It will be interesting when the new Pentax FF body comes out if people will revert back to the traditional three prime film kit of 28/50-55/135.

I used the K28/3.5, K55/1.8 and the K135/3.5 as mine for decades.

Phil.

[drypenn]

It will be interesting when the new Pentax FF body comes out if people will revert back to the traditional three prime film kit of 28/50-55/135.

I used the K28/3.5, K55/1.8 and the K135/3.5 as mine for decades.

Phil.

I agree, that will be interesting. I may have to pick up a 135 when the FF comes along.

In the APS-C, the 135 is neither here nor there.

[savoche]

I'm thinking FA or F 28 2.8 instead of 21, thoughts?

I like the 21 for indoor use and closeups. For all other use I prefer the (FA) 28. The colours of the 28 are a better match for the 43, I think.

My 28 is also sharper than my 21 at infinity, especially at the edges.

[mrpackerguy]

When I get my most recent marketplace purchase my 3 will be:

DA-15mm Ltd
35mm Macro Ltd
FA 77mmLtd

[ZombieArmy]

If I had any lens I wanted these would be my 3:

21 LTD
40 LTD
Pentax-FA* 200mm

[SpecialK]

It will be interesting when the new Pentax FF body comes out if people will revert back to the traditional three prime film kit of 28/50-55/135.

I used the K28/3.5, K55/1.8 and the K135/3.5 as mine for decades.

Phil.

28, 50, 100 (macro) here. Only other prime is 17 TSE.

[beachgardener]

I like the 21 for indoor use and closeups. For all other use I prefer the (FA) 28. The colours of the 28 are a better match for the 43, I think.

My 28 is also sharper than my 21 at infinity, especially at the edges.

Thank you for your thoughts I'm tending toward the 28 at this stage. But I am liking the look of the 21.

[Mallee Boy]

Can only go with what I own.
Really difficult to choose between Sigma EX DG 24mm f1.8 and DA 21.....but the Sigma wins out on versatility

My three would be: Sigma EX DG 24mm. FA 43 Ltd. DA 200mm.
If it is Pentax lenses only substitute DA 21 for Sigma.

[ChrisPlatt]

I normally use just two fixed focal length lenses with my Pentax film SLRs, 35mm and 100mm.
I used to carry a 50mm lens but never used it, so now I leave it home.

Chris

[monochrome]

I like this list!

Mine would be:

All Ltd: 31/43/77
Only the essentials: FA20/FA43/DFA100Macro
Bare essentials: K28/3.5, K55/1.8, M50/4 Macro
All star: 15/31/77
Beauty kit: 31/DA55/77

I can make a few more combinations out of my stash

---------- Post added 07-24-15 at 09:52 PM ----------



I like this kit too Phil.

Unfortunately, that 28/2 is as scarce as a hen's tooth. And that 85/1.8 now costs an arm and a leg!

Well, at least I have that K50/1.2

It will be interesting when the new Pentax FF body comes out if people will revert back to the traditional three prime film kit of 28/50-55/135.

I used the K28/3.5, K55/1.8 and the K135/3.5 as mine for decades.

Phil.

I agree, that will be interesting. I may have to pick up a 135 when the FF comes along.

In the APS-C, the 135 is neither here nor there.

Much of the fun I have with these old lenses is choosing a different set of three each time I go out with a film camera. That's why I've spent my money over the years on many MF lenses rather than a few modern AF lenses.

I should admit that once I had a K-3 the lure of the Limiteds was irresistible - and then I had to get a user-grade MZ-S to keep them company.

Everything is a trade-off. Rather than golf I collect and use K-series lenses and cameras. It is to the point that when I changed employers the new guys put that in as my non-work activity; "Rather than golfing he collects and uses old cameras and lenses."

The 135/3.5 is a steal for what you get. And for the K85/1.8 keep your powder dry. Every so often you can find one for a realistic price. I fear the K28/2 is like an A*85/1.4 - impossible.

[GeneV]

For digital either 21/40/70 or 15/31/77

For film 20/77/135 If I had four, I'd squeeze a 50/1.4 or 1.2 in there.

[ACG]

It will be interesting when the new Pentax FF body comes out if people will revert back to the traditional three prime film kit of 28/50-55/135.

I used the K28/3.5, K55/1.8 and the K135/3.5 as mine for decades.

Phil.

I hope potential legacy glass users will not be put off by some of the articles out there regarding "resolving power of the lens". One states that the k28 f3.5 is best suited for a 10 mp sensor or less!!
I use that lens on the 36mp a7r with wonderful results. Superb detail on a2 prints, crops and at 100% in lightroom.
An article on the fred miranda website shows it outperforming the much acclaimed sony zeiss fe 16-35 at 28mm. I have both lenses and would agree. For a recent trip to austria it was my set of k and m legacy primes that came with me while the sony zeiss stayed at home parked in a cupboard!!!

[jimr-pdx]

My primal set has changed as well since I first visited. The M100 and DFA50 f/2.8s are definitely in. The 3rd would be K24 f/2.8 on film, DA15 on digital.
Much better to take all four!

[monochrome]

I hope potential legacy glass users will not be put off by some of the articles out there regarding "resolving power of the lens". One states that the k28 f3.5 is best suited for a 10 mp sensor or less!!
I use that lens on the 36mp a7r with wonderful results. Superb detail on a2 prints, crops and at 100% in lightroom.
An article on the fred miranda website shows it outperforming the much acclaimed sony zeiss fe 16-35 at 28mm. I have both lenses and would agree. For a recent trip to austria it was my set of k and m legacy primes that came with me while the sony zeiss stayed at home parked in a cupboard!!!

It has been shown the K28/3.5 resolves as high as 98 lpmm @ f/8 and in the high 80's at f/5.6 and f/11. The K30/2.8 resolves somewhat higher and the K35/3.5 resolves as high as 98 lpmm down to f/2.8 and up to f/11. There are numerous K and M lenses resolving in the very high 80's at their peak aperture. That doesn't even begin to address the FA35/2, FA*24/2.8, FA Limiteds and the FA50/2.8 Macro at 110 lpmm.

A Fred Miranda article and a similar post on Photo.net from 2007 refer to 60 lpmm as 'high resolution.'

I have no concerns about my collection of legacy and manual focus lenses' resolving power on modern high Mp sensors.

Yoshihiko Takinami Lens Resolution Test Index Page

[rvannatta]

Welp, my choice is often a 2 lens combination:

K3+ fa-24 f/2 and an extreme telephoto for birds usually the Pentax-A 400 f/2.8 and the 3rd piece of glass is a converter...
if I need to travel lighter i'll sub the Fa-300 f /2.8 although the very last time I went somewhere on a mission I took just two
things, a 50mm macro and the FA300.

The woodpecker could have been better if I had taken an telextender or a strong lens, but all in all a safari to the back deck of my house for a couple of photos
I thought came out fairly well.